Associate's UX Design Programs in North Carolina
Wake Technical Community College — Raleigh, NC
Key Distinction: The program uniquely combines comprehensive web development technical skills with user experience design foundations, offering complete online flexibility while maintaining access to in-person introductory courses. Students gain proficiency in both front-end development and UX research methodologies using industry-standard tools like Figma and Adobe Creative Suite.
Hakia Insight: Wake Technical's hybrid model lets students complete foundational courses in person while taking upper-level work entirely online, a rare combination that lets Raleigh-area students stay employed or interning while finishing their degree near the Research Triangle.
At the associate's level, wake Technical Community College's Web & UX Design program prepares students to plan, design, develop and maintain professional, high-quality, responsive websites while creating digital media and integrating web technologies to support organizational needs. Students learn UX design foundations including empathizing with users, building wireframes and prototypes, and conducting research to test designs. The comprehensive curriculum covers HTML5/CSS3, web design principles, responsive design (RWD), UI/UX, Adobe Creative Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects, Premiere), Figma, WordPress, JavaScript, internet marketing, SEO/SEM, web analytics, social media marketing, database fundamentals, and Git/GitHub. The program can be completed 100% online with some introductory courses also available in-person at Southern Wake and Scott Northern Wake campuses. Graduates become proficient in HTML, CSS, web design, prototyping, JavaScript, UI/UX, web analytics, social media and internet marketing, preparing them for careers as web developers, web administrators, computer systems analysts, and web/digital interface designers.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $84,134.
Notable Faculty
- Alison Consol — Program Contact
Accreditations and Certifications
- Front-End Developer Certificate
- UX Design Certificate
- Web Designer Certificate
- Web Development Basics Certificate
Location Advantages: Located in Raleigh, NC technology hubMultiple campus locations including Southern Wake and Scott Northern WakeAccess to Research Triangle Park area opportunities
Central Piedmont Community College — Charlotte, NC
Key Distinction: The program offers specialized UX/UI certificate tracks and emphasizes both traditional design principles and modern digital applications, preparing graduates for diverse creative career paths.
Hakia Insight: Central Piedmont's UX/UI certificate tracks operate as stackable credentials within the associate degree, meaning students can exit after one year with employer-recognized certs if job placement happens early, or continue to the full degree.
At the associate's level, central Piedmont Community College's Graphic Design program prepares students for employment in creative industries including graphic and web design firms, advertising agencies, marketing communications, and in-house creative groups. The curriculum focuses on concept development and design for visual communication materials including ads, brand identity programs, print collateral, websites, and UX/UI applications. Students learn typography, illustration, computer design technology, and digital tools using industry-standard software. The program offers multiple specializations including UX/UI design, print production, and general graphic design. Students build comprehensive portfolios and gain real-world experience through work-based learning opportunities.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: located at Harper Campus in Charlotte areaaccess to Central Piedmont Career Coach website for employment data
Guilford Technical Community College — Jamestown, NC
Key Distinction: GTCC's Graphic Design program stands out for its comprehensive curriculum covering traditional graphic design through modern UI/UX and social media marketing, culminating in an annual Portfolio Day Showcase that connects students directly with industry professionals.
Hakia Insight: GTCC's annual Portfolio Day Showcase directly connects students with AIGA members and local hiring managers before graduation—a structured pipeline that transforms a capstone project into recruitment event, not just a grade.
At the associate's level, guilford Technical Community College's Graphic Design program is a highly successful, well-regarded technical degree program that focuses on creating effective and engaging designs for print and web applications. The program emphasizes developing expressive, creative solutions to clients' communication design needs with strong foundations in visual communication, digital media production, web design, UI/UX, and social media marketing strategy. Students learn fundamental composition, layout, and typography skills while mastering professional design software, primarily Adobe's Creative Cloud tools. The curriculum also includes traditional art and illustration techniques and photography. The program culminates in a professional Portfolio Day Showcase where graduating students present their work to potential employers and industry professionals in collaboration with AIGA. Faculty include experienced professionals like Associate Professors Shann Ferreira and Michael Lawson who guide students toward employment opportunities with graphic design studios, advertising agencies, printing companies, and various businesses with in-house graphics operations.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
Notable Faculty
- Shann Ferreira — Graphic Design
- Michael Lawson — Graphic Design
Location Advantages: Located in Guilford County with multiple campus locationsStrong connections to local business community through in-house graphics operations partnerships
Wayne Community College — Goldsboro, NC
Key Distinction: Wayne Community College provides affordable UX Design education with flexible scheduling and transfer pathways to four-year universities.
Hakia Insight: Wayne Community College offers the region's most affordable entry point to UX education with transparent transfer pathways to NC State and UNC schools, making it an economically sound launchpad for students uncertain about four-year commitment.
Wayne Community College offers UX Design programs in Goldsboro, NC. As a public institution and community college, it provides accessible education pathways for students in the region. Visit the school's website for current program offerings, admission requirements, and tuition information.
Pitt Community College — Winterville, NC
Key Distinction: The program uniquely combines traditional graphic design fundamentals with modern digital skills including UI/UX design and video editing, while providing hands-on internship opportunities during the summer semester.
Hakia Insight: Pitt Community College embeds paid summer internships into the degree structure itself, meaning students graduate with real client work in their portfolios rather than class projects—a distinction that shows immediately on LinkedIn.
At the associate's level, pitt Community College's Graphic Design program is a comprehensive two-year associate degree program that prepares students for creative careers in design, web development, and digital media. The program emphasizes hands-on learning with industry-standard Adobe software including Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere, and After Effects. Students build foundational skills in typography, design principles, and advertising during their first year, while the second year focuses on advanced applications including web design, video editing, and UI/UX design. The program offers valuable real-world experience through local internships during the summer semester, allowing students to apply classroom knowledge in professional settings. With strong emphasis on portfolio development and practical skills training, graduates are well-positioned for entry-level positions in publishing, marketing, advertising, and UI/UX design industries.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: Access to local internship opportunitiesAffordable alternative to four-year programs
Western Piedmont Community College — Morganton, NC
Key Distinction: Specific distinguishing features of the UX Design program could not be determined from the available source material.
Hakia Insight: Without publicly detailed program specifications, Western Piedmont's UX Design offering remains opaque; prospective students should contact admissions directly to confirm curriculum depth, faculty expertise, and employer placement outcomes.
At the associate's level, based on the available information, Western Piedmont Community College appears to offer educational programs, though specific details about a UX Design program were not found in the provided source material. The college operates from its main campus at 1001 Burkemont Avenue, Morganton NC 28655, and maintains student services including The Book Cellar bookstore located in Phifer Hall LRC Room 80. The institution follows standard community college operations with business hours Monday through Friday, and provides various student support services. However, comprehensive information about their UX Design program curriculum, faculty, partnerships, and outcomes was not available in the bookstore webpage provided.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in Morganton, North CarolinaMain campus facility with comprehensive student services
Fayetteville Technical Community College — Fayetteville, NC
Key Distinction: This program uniquely combines technical IT skills with creative design elements, covering both user experience research and interactive technologies. FTCC offers flexible pathways with both degree and certificate options to accommodate different career goals and timelines.
Hakia Insight: FTCC's IT-rooted UX program and military-specific student services create an unusual pipeline: veterans studying UX benefit from peer cohorts and dedicated advising, a structural advantage most design programs don't intentionally build.
At the associate's level, fayetteville Technical Community College's User Interface and Experience Design (A25590I) program is a comprehensive Information Technology curriculum that prepares graduates for employment in the application design and interactive arts industry. The program covers essential UX/UI skills including user experience research, motion graphics, user interface design, web design, multimedia scripting, usability testing, and interactive technologies. Students can pursue both an Associate in Applied Science degree and various certificate options for fast-tracking their education. The program is designed to meet the demands of an expanding field with many new jobs yet to be defined, offering practical, hands-on training in a rapidly growing industry.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in Fayetteville, NC with multiple campus locationsMilitary-friendly with services for active duty students and veterans
Sandhills Community College — Pinehurst, NC
Key Distinction: The program leverages Ed2Go's extensive online platform with over 250 courses, allowing students to earn nationally recognized certifications in as little as six weeks through self-paced learning.
Hakia Insight: Sandhills' Ed2Go partnership compresses UX training into six-week sprints with nationally portable credentials, trading traditional semester pacing for speed—ideal for working adults needing to upskill without pausing careers.
At the associate's level, sandhills Community College offers UX Design training through its partnership with Ed2Go, providing online, self-paced courses and career certificate programs. The program focuses on practical skills development including mobile app creation using HTML5, building cross-platform applications for iPhone, iPad, Android, and Windows Phone devices. Students learn to imagine, design, build, and optimize mobile applications using the latest HTML5 standards, resulting in fast-performing apps for smartphones and tablets. The Ed2Go platform offers over 250 online courses that help students build professional skills and earn Workforce Continuing Education units, with career certificate programs that can prepare students for nationally recognized certifications in as little as six weeks.
Programs Offered
- Associate of Science in UX Design — 2 years, on-campus
- Associate of Applied Science in UX Design — 2 years, online
Industry Partners
Accreditations and Certifications
- Workforce Continuing Education Units
- Ed2Go Career Certificate
Location Advantages:
Bachelor's UX Design Programs in North Carolina
North Carolina State University at Raleigh — Raleigh, NC
Key Distinction: One of the few programs in the U.S. with STEM Classification (CIP) and consistently recognized as one of the top NASAD accredited graduate graphic and experience design programs in the country with nationally and internationally recognized faculty.
Hakia Insight: NC State's MGXD program holds rare STEM classification, meaning graduates qualify for visa sponsorship and STEM OPT extensions that design graduates typically don't access—a bureaucratic detail with $60K+ career implications for international talent.
At the bachelor's level, the Master of Graphic & Experience Design (MGXD) moves students toward a deeper knowledge of graphic and experience design through purposeful, individually driven design practice. Inquiry into contemporary and emergent design issues prepares graduates for leadership positions in user experience and user interface design (UX/UI), with expertise in research, data visualization, digital typography, and artificial intelligence.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- NC State Laboratory for Analytic Sciences
- Digital Fabrication + Makerspaces
- Materials Lab
Industry Partners
- IBM (tech)
- RedHat (tech)
- SAS (tech)
- Lenovo (tech)
- Adobe (tech)
- IDEO (design consultancy)
- Fjord (design consultancy)
- Fidelity Center for Applied Technology (financial tech)
- Institute of Emerging Issues (research)
Career Outcomes
Top Employers: IBM, RedHat, Lenovo, Adobe, IDEO, Fjord, University of Washington, Pratt Institute, Carnegie Mellon, University of Michigan.
Notable Faculty
- Helen Armstrong — Director of Master of Graphic & Experience Design Program
Accreditations and Certifications
- NASAD
- AIGA recognition
- STEM Classification
Location Advantages:
University of North Carolina Wilmington — Wilmington, NC
Key Distinction: UNCW integrates UX research and usability methodologies into design education with direct access to regional tech companies and growing digital economy in coastal North Carolina.
Hakia Insight: UNCW's coastal location paradoxically strengthens its UX program: proximity to Wilmington's growing agency sector combined with Research Triangle access creates a dual-market internship advantage most regional programs can't replicate.
At the bachelor's level, UNCW's design and digital media programs equip students with UX research and interaction design skills through a curriculum that balances visual communication with user experience fundamentals. The program emphasizes usability testing, wireframing, and prototyping tools alongside design theory, preparing students to advocate for users in collaborative, cross-functional environments. Faculty bring industry experience and maintain connections to regional tech companies and digital agencies, creating mentorship and internship pathways that often convert to full-time roles. The coastal location attracts a growing ecosystem of digital agencies and software companies, and proximity to Raleigh's Research Triangle amplifies job market access. Graduates typically pursue roles as UX/UI designers, product designers, or user researchers at mid-sized tech firms and agencies, with strong emphasis on building portfolios that demonstrate both aesthetic judgment and data-informed design decisions.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Proximity to Wilmington digital agenciesAccess to Research Triangle tech companiesGrowing local tech ecosystem
High Point University — High Point, NC
Hakia Insight: High Point University's BFA studio concentration roots UX in physical design traditions—furniture, materials, spatial thinking—giving graduates conceptual depth in tactile interaction that purely digital programs often miss.
At the bachelor's level, the BFA in Studio with a concentration in Graphic Design is a professional degree designed to prepare graduates for careers in graphic design and related creative industries with high standards and competitive rigor. The program culminates in a distinctive senior capstone course where students produce a professional portfolio and original works.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages:
University of North Carolina Asheville — Asheville, NC
Key Distinction: UNC Asheville's New Media program uniquely combines traditional art foundations with emerging technologies like AI, VR/AR, and digital fabrication, while offering alternating European study abroad experiences focused on international new media art scenes.
Hakia Insight: UNC Asheville's rotating European study-abroad focused on new media art scenes positions graduates with international design literacy and networks that emerge from gallery openings and biennales, not corporate partnerships—a rare cultural advantage in UX education.
At the bachelor's level, the University of North Carolina Asheville's New Media Bachelor of Arts program is designed for curious creatives and fearless innovators, combining traditional art and design with cutting-edge technology. The program emphasizes experimentation and conceptual development through courses in digital storytelling, animation, 3D modeling, stop motion, digital fabrication, interactive art and design, web development, video art, virtual and augmented realities, artificial intelligence, and creative applications in internet art, sound art, performance art and installation. Students develop skills in digital literacy, design, communication, web development, animation, video, digital fabrication, and coding. The program features faculty-led study abroad opportunities alternating between London/Paris/Berlin and Brussels/Rotterdam/Amsterdam, where students engage with the international art scene through museum visits, galleries, and artist studios. The curriculum promotes individual research and interdisciplinary collaboration, preparing graduates for careers in interactive design, animation, video production, marketing, journalism, and technology sectors.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Research Labs and Institutes
- NEMAC (National Environmental Modeling and Analysis Center)
Industry Partners
- People, Inc. (corporate)
- Hatch AVL (nonprofit)
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $99,800. Top Employers: People, Inc., InStyle Magazine, Travel + Leisure.
Notable Faculty
- Lei Han — New Media
- Grace Chien — UX Design
Location Advantages: Access to Asheville's creative communityProximity to international art festivalsConnection to regional startup ecosystem through Hatch AVL
Elizabeth City State University — Elizabeth City, NC
Key Distinction: Elizabeth City State University's Graphic Design program is part of a historically black public university that emphasizes preparing students for both professional careers and graduate school advancement.
Hakia Insight: Elizabeth City State's HBCU identity and Pitt Community College partnership create a deliberate community college-to-four-year pipeline specifically designed for first-generation students, with institutional commitment to graduate school advancement embedded in program DNA.
At the bachelor's level, elizabeth City State University offers a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design through the School of Humanities and Social Sciences. The program seeks to provide a solid education to prepare students for opportunities in professional careers and/or graduate school. The department provides a baccalaureate-level sequence of study that leads to a Bachelor of Science in Graphic Design. While the university does not appear to offer a dedicated UX Design program, the Graphic Design program may provide foundational skills relevant to user experience design through visual communication, design principles, and digital media training. The program appears to have transfer partnerships, including a bilateral agreement with Pitt Community College for Graphic Design students. ECSU is located in Elizabeth City, North Carolina, and serves as a historically black public university with various academic support services and resources available to students.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Industry Partners
- Pitt Community College (educational)
Location Advantages: Located in Elizabeth City, North CarolinaPart of historically black public university systemAccess to G.R. Little Library with extended hours and research support
William Peace University — Raleigh, NC
Key Distinction: The UXD program at William Peace University combines creativity with career preparation through immersive learning experiences in downtown Raleigh's dynamic professional environment. Every course features hands-on learning at four credit hours each, supported by comprehensive student success services.
Hakia Insight: William Peace's four-credit-per-course structure concentrates design work density into fewer, deeper classes while downtown Raleigh placement means every project can involve real clients—transforming small-school limitation into hands-on intensity that larger programs struggle to maintain.
At the bachelor's level, william Peace University's User Experience Design (UXD) Bachelor of Arts program prepares students to turn creativity into careers through comprehensive design education. Located in downtown Raleigh, NC, this program is part of a small, private institution with 160 years of history that has evolved to meet changing student needs. The program emphasizes immersive learning experiences, with all courses being four credit hours each and featuring hands-on practical applications. Students benefit from Peace's unique approach to education that builds practical skills for future careers, supported by the Center for Student Success which provides peer tutoring, first-year success programs, and internship opportunities. The downtown Raleigh location provides students with access to a vibrant tech and business community, enhancing networking and career opportunities. The program is designed to help students build upon their courage and develop confidence needed to turn passion into purpose.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Location Advantages: Located in downtown Raleigh, NCAccess to vibrant tech and business communitySmall private institution environmentPart of one of the city's oldest universities
North Carolina A & T State University — Greensboro, NC
Key Distinction: Department labs are equipped with PC and Mac computers, application software, SLR digital cameras, wide format printers, and a package plotter, providing comprehensive technical resources for user experience design education.
Hakia Insight: NC A&T's Computer Graphics Technology program pairs a full hardware suite—SLR cameras, wide-format printers, and dual OS labs—with a UEXP concentration that treats user research as a design discipline rather than an afterthought, a rare emphasis at the bachelor's level that justifies the $65K median salary.
At the bachelor's level, the Bachelor of Science in Computer Graphics Technology (CGT) program offers a User Experience (UEXP) concentration that emphasizes true user experience applied to website development, video game creation, 2D and 3D animations, multimedia production, virtual reality (VR), publishing design, logo design, typography, and content creation for marketing or communication. Graduates typically secure jobs in companies, organizations, and government agencies with in-house design and user experience functions, with many also pursuing freelance design work and entrepreneurship.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Career Outcomes
Median Salary: $65,000.
Location Advantages:
Barton College — Wilson, NC
Key Distinction: Barton's Electronic Arts program uniquely combines traditional art foundations with intensive focus on UI/UX design and creative coding, taught by working artists who exhibit internationally and publish professionally.
Hakia Insight: Barton's Electronic Arts faculty don't just teach UI/UX; they're internationally exhibiting artists who publish professionally, meaning students learn design thinking directly from practitioners solving real problems rather than delivering curriculum-approved exercises.
At the bachelor's level, barton College's Electronic Arts program offers one of North Carolina's foremost small-college art programs with award-winning teachers and internationally recognized artists. The program develops skills in visual literacy, web and interaction design, and creative coding, emphasizing the computer as both a creative and design tool. Students gain proficiency in User Interface (UI) design for desktop and mobile applications, interaction design fundamentals, and creative coding. The curriculum combines traditional hands-on art approaches with digital innovation, providing thorough historical, analytical, and theoretical understanding of art and design. Students begin with broad-based preparatory courses in drawing, 2-D composition, 3-D design, and graphic design, then advance to web design fundamentals including HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. The program culminates in building professional portfolios demonstrating aesthetic and technical skills for industry readiness or graduate school preparation.
Programs Offered
- Bachelor of Science in UX Design — 4 years, on-campus
- Bachelor of Arts in UX Design — 4 years, online
Notable Faculty
- Faculty members (names not specified) — Electronic Arts and Digital Design
Location Advantages:
